In the Land of Fresto, a guy noted as the protagonist packs his luggage in the living room. His mom and dad wishes him good luck as he is about leave. He, the protagonist, name is Lewis, an intelligent, charming and sweet guy who just graduated as a student of Mira Academy. Lewis is 18 years and wants to understand the world so he leaves the kingdom of Fresto to settle in Asquith, a neighbouring kingdom ruled by the Sarq family.
Once Lewis moved to Asquith, he was known as a foreigner. Despite being a foreigner, he was able to settle in a span of 9-13 months. And after those months he was hired to work in a noble café. A noble cafe is where royals, knights, counts, viscount, princes and sometimes dukes settle in their free time but also folks can also go there. Lewis was happy to find a good place to work, a job he loves and where he can talk to people. By that time Lewis was known for his kindness and humility. The manager, Oliver liked Lewis hospitality.
Lewis begins his day with waking up, writing in his diary, get dressed and gets everything he needs for his first day of work. Lewis prays to the goddess, Gaia for happiness and grace. After doing his morning routine, he runs to the café in order to be punctual. He runs by some passerby and greets them like he knows everybody in the neighborhood.
Once Lewis enters he is greeted by Oliver. Oliver was nice to Lewis and let him take a day off . As time past, Lewis was helping the people by taking their order and delivering it.It has been a month when Lewis arrived, it was noon when a white haired guy with good physique entered the café. It was non other the duke of Asquith. He disguises as a commoner to not attract attention. He sits at the corner waiting for a waiter when Lewis comes to meet him. Lewis introduced himself and asked the duke politely for his orders. The cold tyrant as a duke responded in an icy cold tone. Lewis did not care and the duke introduced himself as Marcus and asked for a cup of espresso. Lewis nodded and left but to Marcus something spark inside of him making him to feel like Lewis is all what he needs as if he was obsessed at first sight. Marcus waited for a while when Lewis came back with the cup of Espresso. They chat and the cold duke’s heart began to melt. Lewis just a guy caught the eyes and heart of the coldest duke in the empire.
Marcus, the duke was seen as an illegitimate child to everyone around him since birth. The folks, nobles including his father King Arthur hated and constantly accuses him as a curse to the kingdom of Asquith. Marcus had an curse which makes him become mad and crazy every fortnight (two weeks) during 00:00 to 7:00. Marcus has tried to battle it since childhood but because of his parents neglect he killed his father during one of his madness. Terrifying everyone in the kingdom. He was treated with herbs made by the best alchemist and wizards in the world but the herbs had no effect on him leaving him with no choice but to stay in a cell. In this cell, he constantly wakes up with nightmares making him to not have enough sleep.
Meanwhile, Lewis asks Marcus if he needs anything else to offer. Marcus stays quiet for he was paying attention to Lewis’s gaze. Marcus stills not responds to Lewis question, Lewis begins to feel uncomfortable and tries to leave. Marcus snapped back to reality grips Lewis’s arm harshly making Lewis to feel pain. Marcus asks Lewis to bring him a cold latte with cherry on top and bring the orange citrus cupcakes on the side in order to waste Lewis’s time.
Lewis was speechless that he could no longer hold his laughter, suprising Marcus. Marcus ask Lewis why he laughed but Lewis had nothing to say and walked to the counter. Marcus felt dejected, something he has never felt before. Marcus wants to know more about Lewis but to start a conversation with someone he just met is somehow awkward. He needed to come to this café more often and get to know more about Lewis but till then he has to wait and be prepared.
After Marcus thought about it Lewis came suddenly with the food and drink nearly startling Marcus to the verge of death. Poor Marcus nearly got sent to the afterlife because of Lewis’s sudden appearance. Lewis didn’t see it coming and rushed to help Marcus. Marcus already angry shouted on Lewis for scaring him. Lewis did not understand the problem tries to comfort Marcus. This action attracted other customers to feel bad for Lewis. It took a while for Marcus to start eating, Lewis was about to attend to other customers when Marcus propose that Lewis should sit for a while. Lewis dejected him again telling him he has work so maybe after his shift.
Marcus asked Lewis to meet him at the silver bridge. Lewis accepted and Marcus stood up, drop some gold coins which is more than what he is supposed to pay and left the cafe without waving at Lewis. Lewis did not know the guys intention but thought good things will happen along the way. Lewis did not understand why Marcus behaved so weirdly not to talk about him wanting to meet Lewis on a bridge when he just meet Lewis after all. Lewis smiles as he serves the customer ma but deep down something felt off with Marcus.
As Lewis tries to understand, Marcus goes back to his mansion and stays in his study room. He does not understand why he felt different around Lewis and why he thought Lewis is all he needs. As he get lost in thoughts, a butler appears with a note from the kingdom of Fresto. Marcus asks the butler to read the letter thoroughly.
The butler reads,
Venue; The centre of the empire.
Time; 7 ‘o’ clock to 10 ‘o’ clock (19:00 to 22:00).
Dear Duke Marcus,
I am sorry for disturbing your free time. I wrote this letter to ask you to attend The Royal Blue Hibiscus Banquet held in the centre of the empire.
The emperor Charles invited the dukes, duchess, viscounts, knights and nobles in the whole empire to discuss the welfare of the country.
I am clearly sure he has yet to invite you and even if he does invite you, you will surely disagree. I plead for you to attend the banquet because of your victory and strength for keeping the nation whole and engage in war with external empires.
I hope you reply, the banquet is in a month so make your choice as soon as you receive the letter. Also you can bring someone with you and maybe at this banquet you can find your soulmate.
Yours sincerely,
Agreste.
Marcus stares at the warm and cozy camp fire in his study room and asks “why did he he write the letter so informally and calmly”.
The butler responds “I do not know why, Duke Marcus”
Marcus asks the butler the time of the banquet. The butler hesitates and vaguely reports that it is by 7 ‘o’ clock to 10 ‘o’ clock.
Marcus retaliates “so he wants to dig his own grave”.
The butler replies “no sir he was thinking… ”.
The butler was cut mid sentence and Marcus spoke angrily “ THINKING!! Is it because my curse begins from 00:00 (12 ‘o’ clock) to 7:00 (7 ‘o’ clock)
The butler answers swiftly “ yes sir”.
Marcus scratches his hair in disbelief “the messages, I instructly sent to him that my curse is having a toll on my body’s mana increase the span of time it may take for me to recover from the curse, did the message get to his side”.
The butler replies “ yes sir Marcus, it was sent”.
Marcus stares at the butler “so he wants me to embarrass myself, he disgusts me but I will only go because I want to. Reply to him in anyway possible”. The butler bows, nods his head and leaves the room. Marcus becomes angry at duke Agreste.
Marcus remembers he forgot to tell the butler to find info on the brown haired guy, the protagonist but he has left. Marcus resumes with his studies just get a headache. Marcus was barely able to see anything before he slumps on his desk.
Meanwhile, Lewis goes to the silver bridge. Lewis walks casually and gets distracted by a glowing purple orchid. Lewis stares at the flower before snapping back to reality when a mysterious guy appears behind him,
The guy speaks “you there, you seem lost. Do you need help in anyway possible”.
Lewis turns to realize it is Guy, his co-worker at the noble café, what a coincidence. Lewis and Guy stares at each other before Guy walks up to Lewis and hugs Lewis
Guy speaks childishly “Lewis, my man what are you doing here”
Lewis responds “Marcus told me to meet him at the silver bridge”.
Guy hesitates and asks who is Marcus. Lewis explains that Marcus is the customer he attended in the early afternoon. Guy still confused ask if he knows Marcus at all from anywhere else. Lewis shyly replied that not at all. The silence was deafening as Guy stared directly at Lewis asking him why he is speaking to someone he just met, Lewis replied that is it not how it is done around here.
Guy replies with a no, making Lewis feel bad. Guy hits Lewis back telling him not to be sad besides you can introduce me to the Marcus you are talking about.
Lewis looks at Guy confused “what did you mean by the Marcus”
Guy replies “well you see, there is only one Marcus in Asquith and it is…” Guy swallows his sentence and pats Lewis telling him he will tell him tomorrow after his shift here. Guy and Lewis departs. Lewis goes home and gently opens the door and nearly collapses on the floor, Lewis felt tired, uneasy, not safe and exhausted but he was happy to see Guy. He tries to stand up and walks to his bedroom.
He knew he had a rough day but what will happen tomorrow is uncertain. He sits on the desk and tries to recap the day to continue with his journal. As he writes he falls asleep on his desk.
The next day, Lewis, for the first time, woke up tired and late but for Marcus he woke up energetic and was visited by the best doctor in the whole empire Sir Clark. Marcus collapses on the floor just by looking at Clark sudden appearance. Clark smiles because somehow the duke survived one night without being consumed by madness and insanity. Marcus also realised that he forgot to sleep in the cell but did not cause havoc. Marcus felt he forgot something and that is when he remembered about meeting the protagonist on the silver bridge.
Marcus tried to stand up but Clark’s stops him. Clark defined the reason why he did not become a tyrant is because he had something clouding the curse from taking full control. Clark continues that he needs to run tests on him for the entire day. Marcus tries to leave but he was somehow pinned down by Clark assistant, Greg. Marcus wished he visited Lewis yesterday.
On Lewis side, Lewis gets ready and does his morning routine but because he was late he postpones it. Lewis rushes to the noble café when he bumps into someone familiar. It was again Guy, it seems he had also woken up late. The two enter the noble café smiling, Lewis and Guy apologize to the manager, Oliver. Oliver did not mind and instead asked what happened. Before they could answer, Oliver told them not to worry.
Lewis began his shift early and surprisingly meets the viscount. The viscount seemed tired but he was still unsure if he came to relax or eat. The viscount called Lewis over. Lewis came and asked him what he would like. The viscount expression changed and told Lewis he wanted an icy cold coffee with tofu and some of the specials.
Lewis knew what he meant and immediately walked to the counter and informed his co-worker the meal to be delivered. Lewis tells the viscount to wait while he attends to the other customers. The day seemed to be normal and the air was cool and fresh. Everything was going smoothly until a mysterious figure enters the noble cafe. The person seemed to be a female and a foreigner townsfolk. But the truth is that the lady is the Duchess of Klunn, another neighboring kingdom. Her name is Elyss called Madam Elyss and nicknamed in restaurants as The Displeased or Not good enough for whatever you give her or the expressions, it gives the same expression, Not good enough.
Madam Elyss sits on a chair at the back of the viscount making the cafe tense and air dense. She picks up the menu card and begins to read. Lewis goes to her table because it seems all the waiters where ignoring the lady’s existence. Lewis gets dragged back by Guy telling Lewis reasons why you should not go there but Lewis does not listen and goes anyway.
As Lewis stands at her table the air becomes more dense, people worries about Lewis but Lewis was smart and knew what he was doing. Madam Elyss raises her head and asks Lewis to give her cranberry crunch, green tea, a slice of cheesecake, a cup of steamed Latte with extra froth made precisely 20 degrees Celsius/ 68 degrees Fahrenheit/ 293•15 degrees kelvin with no use of magic in a limited time of 15 minutes. This scared the entire café, Lewis smiles and tells madam Elyss he will be right back. Lewis rushes to the kitchen and informs his co-worker. With enough effort they gave it to her on time. After Madam Elyss takes a bite she applauds the cooks and Lewis for the first time.
Everyone were shocked and surprised. Lewis smiles and told her thank you. Madam Elyss finished the food, stood up and held Lewis hand and asked his name. Lewis introduced himself as Lewis Cartii. Madam whispered to Lewis ear that whatever he needs he should ask her and Madam Elyss leaves the cafe beaming with a smile.Lewis waves at her forgetting Marcus.
It was evening when Marcus leaves the mansion. It was late still he wanted to get the protagonist name at least. He goes to the noble café to realize they have closed. Marcus walks on his own when he saw a pink haired guy (Guy) with Lewis. Marcus began going insane with his eyes glowing red to tell you he is driven to madness. Despite insane, he tries to return to the mansion so Lewis won’t see him in his state.
Marcus rushes back to the mansion and locks himself in the cell. Meanwhile Guy tells Lewis that the only person bearing Lewis that he knows is the cold tyrant of a duke, Duke Marcus Asquith. Lewis did not buy it and went home alone to think of what Guy said and remembers Marcus did not come today not that it bothers him at all.
Lewis tries to sleep on his cozy bed but it seems he can’t stop thinking about Marcus and what Guy said but he brushed it off saying how can there be only one Marcus in Asquith besides maybe Marcus is a foreigner and where Marcus comes from that is how they greet strangers. Lewis wonders what Marcus might be doing now. As he thinks of Marcus, Marcus has chained himself, he stripped his clothes and only remained his trousers. Marcus, a young man of the age thirty one years was going all out because of a man he just met. Marcus could not contain his desire and unknownly wished to be with Lewis forever. Marcus had already gone berserk leaving his remaining sanity on the floor as his red eyes glow unconsciously. Lewis and Marcus synchronize their minds to think if they will ever meet again.
The night was cold but their hearts were warm.
Marcus showing desperation for love and Lewis showing desperation for protection will they fall in love or be slain by sword of dejection.
TO BE CONTINUED….
